VNU Net: Corel denies MS effect on Linux shift

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“Corel’s decision to spin off its Linux business was
not influenced by its financial backer, Microsoft, and could
actually spell bad news for the Windows giant, according to
Corel’s chief. Speaking to vnunet.com, Corel’s president and chief
executive, Derek Burney, said that part of Corel’s alliance
with Microsoft, which saved it from bankruptcy last year,
was about “porting [Microsoft’s] technology to Linux. So they
might be unhappy that some developers will be
disappearing.”

“Comparing Corel’s dilemma with Linux to that which 3Com faced
with Palm, which was eventually spun off, Burney said: “3Com
realised that Palm could grow but that it would be lost in the
reshuffle of the company. I have always said that we are unleashing
the power of Linux.”

“Asked whether IBM is in the running to acquire the Linux
spin-off, Burney said: “We do not rule that out.” He would not
comment on a Reuters report that New York-based Linux Global
Partners will purchase the Linux desktop operating system for $5m.
However, money is not the sole goal of the spin-off, according to
Burney. “We have put our heart and soul into Linux, and we would
desire to keep some type of stake.”

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